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From the UEFA zone of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the likes of England, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and Poland have booked their place in Russia next summer. Among high-profile names, Netherlands are on the brink of missing out on the World Cup as they have a Herculean task of defeating Sweden by 12 goals to end their group in second place.
However, Netherlands aren't the only big team who has a possibility of missing out on the World Cup as four-time champions Italy have to go through the play-offs to qualify for the tournament.
The intra and inter-confederation play-offs were first implemented in the FIFA World Cup qualification during the 1958 qualifiers and have been played regularly since the 1986 World Cup qualifiers. Over the years there have been instances when even the biggest teams had to go through the play-off stage to qualify for the World Cup and here are five such teams.
Honorable Mentions: Portugal (2010, 2014), Uruguay (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)
#5. Spain- 1962 and 2006
After coming fourth at the 1950 World Cup, Spain failed to qualify for the following two editions in 1954 and 1958. During the 1962 World Cup qualifiers, Spain had to only play against Wales as the other teams in their group (Austria and Denmark) withdrew. Spain won against Wales 3-2 on aggregate and they would now play Morocco in the UEFA/CAF inter-confederation play-off.
An 80th minute goal from Luis del Sol won Spain the first leg at Casablanca. The return leg at Madrid was a very thrilling encounter as the Spaniards won 3-2 thanks to goals from Marcelino, Alfredo di Stefano, and Enrique Collar. Spain this won 4-2 on aggregate and qualified for only their 3rd World Cup.
The second time Spain would have to play in the play-offs would be more than four decades later during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers. Spain were heavy favorites to win their group and went throughout the first qualifying round unbeaten but Serbia and Montenegro registered a win more than them and they were through.
In the play-offs, Spain were up against Slovakia. The first leg at Madrid ended in a 5-1 victory for Spain thanks to a hat-trick by Luis Garcia and a goal each by Fernando Torres and Fernando Morientes. In the return leg at Bratislava, Spain drew 1-1 thanks to David Villa’s equalizer which cancelled out Slovakia’s opening goal by Filip Holosko. Spain thus managed to make it to Germany for the World Cup 2006.
#4. France- 2010 and 2014
Like Spain, France also had to go through the play-offs on two occasions and both were back-to-back occasions. During the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, France began poorly with a 3-1 defeat against Austria. However, Les Bleus bounced back by going unbeaten in their remaining 9 matches. However, the fact that Serbia had a win more than France, pushed the French in second position, which meant that they would have to qualify for the World Cup through the play-offs.
In the play-offs, France had to play Republic of Ireland who had gone unbeaten throughout the entire qualification campaign. France won the away leg at Dublin thanks to a 72nd minute winner from Nicolas Anelka.
In the second leg at Paris, Ireland lead 1-0 at the end of 90 minutes thanks to Robbie Keane’s goal but the game went to extra-time since both teams were tied 1-1. During the 103th minute, France were awarded a free-kick which was taken by Florent Malouda.
Malouda's free-kick went towards Thierry Henry, who handled the ball twice before passing it towards William Gallas - who found the back of the net. Despite protests from the Irish players, the goal stood and France won 2-1 on aggregate to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
During the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, France were expected to make the play-offs because World and European champs Spain were in their group. France ended second and were to play Ukraine in the play-offs.
Ukraine won the first leg at Kiev 2-0 thanks to goals from Roman Zozulya and Andriy Yarmolenko. However, France rebounded brilliantly by winning the home leg at Paris 3-0 thanks to a brace from Mamadiu Sakho (his only international goals) and a goal from Karim Benzema. France thus won 3-2 on aggregate and qualified for the 2014 World Cup.
#3. Italy- 1998
It won’t be Italy’s first time in the play-offs this year as they have already experienced the play-off stage two decades ago. Italy were the best defense during the 1998 World Cup qualifiers as they conceded only one goal from their eight matches.
Despite Italy going unbeaten in their group and defeating England at Wembley, their goalless draws against Poland and Georgia resulted in England winning the group by one point. In the play-offs, Italy were up against Russia. An own goal from Fabio Cannavaro cancelled out Christian Vieri’s opening goal and the first leg at Moscow ended 1-1.
In the second leg at Naples, a 53rd minute strike from Pierluigi Casiraghi won Italy the leg and a place in the 1998 World Cup at France.
#2. Argentina- 1994
This may come as a surprise to many, but there has been an instance when Argentina had to qualify for the World Cup through the play-offs. It was the qualifiers of the 1994 World Cup when the CONMEBOL qualification had two groups, one containing four teams and the other containing five teams.
Argentina were in the group consisting of four teams where the winner would qualify and the runner-up would advance to the CONMEBOL/CONCACAF/OFC inter-continental play-off.
Argentina’s group had Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru. They had a pretty average performance during the qualifiers as they lost two matches to Colombia which included a 5-0 trouncing at home.
However, Argentina somehow managed to finish second in their group and they were into the inter-continental play-off where they would play the winner between Australia and Canada. Australia beat Canada 4-1 on penalties after both teams were 3-3 on aggregate and would now have to play Argentina.
The first leg at Sydney ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to an equalizer from Australia’s Aurelio Vidmar, who cancelled out Abel Balbo’s opener. In the second leg at Buenos Aires, an own goal from Alex Tobin helped Argentina win the play-off 2-1 on aggregate and qualify for the 1994 World Cup.
#1. Germany- 2002
Germany ended the 2002 World Cup as the runners-up and this result surprised many. There is a reason why Germany did not have very high expectations ahead of the World Cup and that is because they had a pretty shaky qualifying campaign.
Pooled alongside England, Germany defeated England 1-0 at Wembley but were thrashed 5-1 at Munich. Germany's hopes of qualifying directly depended on Greece, who had to defeat England.
Germany nearly qualified as Greece were leading 2-1 before an injury-time free-kick from David Beckham took England to the World Cup and Germany would have to go through the play-offs.
In the play-offs, Germany were up against Ukraine. The first leg at Kiev ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to Michael Ballack’s equalizer.
The second leg at Munich was a complete one-sided affair as Germany thrashed Ukraine 4-1 thanks to a brace from Michael Ballack and a goal each from Oliver Neuville and Marko Rehmer. Germany thus secured their place at the 2002 World Cup.
